Train yard classification system

Abstract

A system for transferring railroad cars from incoming receiving tracks to classification tracks for building outgoing trains includes a plurality of incoming receiving tracks, a plurality of outgoing classification tracks and one or more transfer tables for moving railroad cars from the incoming receiving tracks to designated outgoing classification tracks. Each transfer table has a plurality of track segments. Incoming railroad cars are received on a plurality of incoming receiving tracks. A first car is uncoupled from a following second car on each of the receiving tracks having cars. The uncoupled first car is moved from the incoming receiving track onto a corresponding track segment on the transfer table. The transfer table is moved to align a selected track segment with an appropriate classification track for the corresponding railroad car. The transfer table is moved and aligned with appropriate classification tracks until each railroad car has been transferred to the appropriate classification track. The steps are repeated until all of the cars have been classified and transferred to classification tracks or held back for later transfer.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a new, unique and innovative way to process railroad cars through a railroad yard or terminal.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Railroads are important transportation systems for moving freight. When a freight train enters a major rail yard it must be broken down and the cars must be redistributed to new trains going to different destinations. The procedure for breaking down trains is labor intensive, dangerous, and time consuming and takes place in railroad “yards.” Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) statistics show that between 1994 and 1998 more than 6,400 accidents took place in railroad yards. Of these accidents, approximately 75 resulted in fatalities. Of these accidents 60% were associated with problems with switches and switching. Further, the labor intensive process adds a great deal of dwell time to the operation causing extended time lapses between train arrival and departure.[0003]Railroad locations that pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0047]The invention described herein has several important advantages over prior art. No humps or switches are required to transfer and classify cars from an incoming train to build the outgoing train. This invention can dispense with the need for various locomotives, railroad engineers, conductors and switchmen using railroad switches to sort out railroad cars in order to build trains. Additionally, it does so in a “clean” environment, because it eliminates the burning of diesel fuel during the process of sorting railroad cars.

Problems solved by technology

The procedure for breaking down trains is labor intensive, dangerous, and time consuming and takes place in railroad “yards.” Federal Railroad Administration (“FRA”) statistics show that between 1994 and 1998 more than 6,400 accidents took place in railroad yards.

Of these accidents, approximately 75 resulted in fatalities.

Further, the labor intensive process adds a great deal of dwell time to the operation causing extended time lapses between train arrival and departure.

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